I am in love with this Kindle! I am an avid reader that does most of my reading on my Kindle. I have been using different Kindle devices since 2010 or so. I have a Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Basic, Paperwhite, Voyage, and a Fire that I use at different times. Each device has features that I like and over the years, I have had several things that I knew I would like to see in a device. The first Oasis didn't have any real appeal for me but the moment I saw the specs for this version, I knew that I would have to add it to my collection.
There are two features on this Oasis that came straight from my personal wish list. The first is the larger screen size. I have probably told my husband at least once per week that I would like a bigger Kindle. Every single new release has had the same 6" screen with the expection of the DX which has not been made for some time and the Fires which I do like to use for reading. The 7" screen is wonderful. It is bigger without being cumbersome to handle. The actual device is not much larger than my Voyage or Paperwhite. It is a bit wider but the height is fairly equal. The difference is that there is less of a frame around the screen.
I was also very pleased to find page turn buttons on this device. My Kindle Keyboard and Kindle Basic had this feature but the more recent trend has been a touchscreen such as with the Paperwhite. I thought that I would like the page press on the Voyage but I found that it was the same as a physical button. I have already read a novel on my new Oasis and loved being able to press a button to turn the page. You can still turn pages with the touchscreen if you prefer but I am happy to have the buttons. You do have to use the touchscreen for other commands and to access the menu features.
I like that this Kindle has an aluminum back. I think it feels like a much more solid e-reader and it feels nice in my hands. I have not purchased a case for this device yet and have held it in one hand while reading. It has felt very comfortable and natural. I am also intrigued by the ability to invert the black and white on the device so the the print is white on a black background. I did try this feature out just a bit and am not sure how much I will end up using it. I am still happy to know that it is an option.
I have not used the Audible feature on the device. I do wish that the device had a headphone jack since I have a pair corded headphones that I love. I am not going to purchase bluetooth headphones just to listen to my audiobooks on this device. I listen to a lot of Audible audiobooks and have no issue doing so with my cell phone. I think that the size of this device would make it somewhat awkward to carry around in order to listen to my books. I will be sticking to my cell phone for audiobooks for right now. If I change my mind, it is nice to know that the device has the capabilities.
I can easily say that the Oasis is my favorite Kindle that I have owned. I like just about everything about it. The clear and crisp screen is a very nice size, the page turn buttons are perfectly positioned, and the aluminum backing looks and feels nice. I bought the 32 GB device with cell connectivity and am looking forward to spending many quality reading hours with my new Oasis.
I am writing this review as a long-time Kindle user who, much to my family’s dismay, has purchased every version of the Kindle since version one with the exception of the original Kindle Oasis (please, don’t judge!). I bought this one to replace my Paperwhite, which after hauling it around through various airports across the globe and dropped it a few times had become a little sluggish and need of a replacement. As there are several different versions you can configure for this Kindle, to clarify I purchased the 32 GB version with both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The immediate benefit of this version of the Oasis is the larger screen at seven inches versus the six inch of both the original Oasis and the Paperwhite. Why does that matter? You get more words on the screen with the same font – that’s great for people like me as my up close eyesight gets worse with each day. The fonts are much more crisp and “readable” (for lack of a better word) as there are more pixels per inch than previous version of my Paperwhite. I also like the fact there are more lights in the backlight display which makes it easier to see when the lighting around you is darker – no, it’s not like a flashlight but something that really enhances the reader experience as reading on a plane at night this past week was a much better experience not only for me but the people on my row.
It is also very lightweight, and holding it without a case seems like a feather even though it has a larger screen – they have really skinnied down the thickness in comparison to other models. I do prefer a case, as it makes it feel like I am really reading a book and also to protect the Oasis for the inevitable drop, and Amazon has a limited amount of versions. Unfortunately, the cases that are available right now are not only expensive but they are not functional and slip off easy and really don’t protect anything. In other words, unless you have money to burn, I would see if you can wait on a case until third-party providers start making them available.
The processor inside is allegedly faster, but I have no way to measure its efficiency other than the pages turn quicker; you can turn to the next page by tapping the side of the screen or pushing one of the buttons on the side. It’s also a lot faster adding and removing books from different categories as I finish or add new books than previous versions – gone is the 30 second wait of doing that on my Paperwhite (I have about 500 books on my Kindle).
I am not much on audiobooks but I realize some people are. This year’s version of the Oasis allows you to play audiobooks – there aren’t speakers or a headphone jack built into it but the Oasis does have Bluetooth capability. Setting up my basic pair of Bluetooth speakers was easy and the sound quality is good. I think this is a great addition for the vision impaired or for those who like to listen to audiobooks, but please note it does not appear you can listen to an audio version and read along with the text at the same time.
This version is also allegedly waterproof - I did not test it out but will take their word for it. I wouldn't recommend you test it out by sitting in the bathtub reading: you don't want to be the person where it failed and die from electrocution!
As I mentioned above, I bought the 32 Gb version with both the cellular and WiFi connectivity – that’s the most expensive version and it cost quite a bit at $349; that is very expensive if you are a casual reader vs. a bookaholic like I am. I picked the cellular version as I don’t have reliable WiFi many times due to my travel areas and I want to be able to receive my blog and newspaper subscriptions when I am on the road; if you have consistent WiFi coverage, I would recommend sticking with the WiFi only version and save a few bucks. If the price doesn’t scare you off of this one and you read a lot, I would recommend this one – on the other hand, if price is a consideration or if you are a casual reader, I would recommend the Paperwhite vs. this one as it is still a very nice e-reader and they have better cover options to protect your Kindle.
I love my iPad Pro, 12.9” and use my Kindle app all the time. I have about 300 kindle books and about 150 audiobooks from Audible. I travel a lot and take my very expensive iPad with me. The last year or so I noticed a bit of eye strain when reading from my ipad (I do not wear glasses or any kind) for over an hour or more. I always thought, I have a gorgeous iPad Pro 12.9” why would I even consider an eReader of any sort.
Then one afternoon I saw an ad for the new Kindle Oasis and thought finally, they made one a bit bigger than before, 7” and have an option for 32GB and cellular data. I did some reviews about eye strain and many people recommended the Kindle. So, I decided if I am going to get one, I want all the options. I purchased Kindle Oasis 32GB wth cellular data. Then I found out they can store Audible books too. I was very excited.
(The Review)
The Kindle Oasis arrived and when I first turned it on I was really impressed with the quality. The e-ink is beautiful and refreshes quickly. As my first non-iPad reader, the 7” Oasis was much bigger for reading than I thought. Daily use of an iPad Pro 12.9” I thought would leave the impression it was too small. It did not. The screen of the Oasis is bright, beautiful and crisp. Setup was a breeze, I synced my Kindle library, downloaded all my books and downloaded my Audible library for the most part and still have about 16 or so GB remaining for future purchases. Setting up Bluetooth headphones or speaker with the Oasis was easy and keeping all my books and audiobooks synced across all my devices is amazing. Battery life is good. I like to read it really bright so it uses it up faster and of course, Bluetooth with drain more as well.
Holding it in my right hand is very comfortable and the page advance and back two buttons are placed perfectly for one-hand reading. Creating collections and accessing your library is simple. This is the best reader you can have. If I had to choose a device *just* for reading/audiobooks and I had a choice between an iPad and this, I would choose the Kindle Oasis all day long. I never thought i would like an eReader as a lifelong iPad device type user. This Kindle Oasis changed my mind.
My only future request would be this: a larger one! If Amazon made a 9.7” eReader to rival an iPad size (or 12.9”) I would buy it in a heartbeat. I love this Oasis and still can’t believe I do. Find yourself a nice cover like I did and you’re good to go!
If you are considering an eReader and think like I did, that you have an iPad or similar device. Why would I ever consider one of these, get it! If you love reading and travel a lot, it’s so worth the money. I never thought a device like this for reading would compare to a $1300 ipad, but it does.
P.S. Eye strain with reading the Kindle Oasis is gone. I can read 4+ hours straight and no eye strain whatsoever with the Kindle Oasis. I love my ipad, but after an hour, I need to rest my eyes. Not anymore. I can get more reading/research done now and I love that! Especially as a scientist, keeping my research notes right on the Oasis for reference later is perfect!
Thanks Amazon. Great device. And this is not a paid review, I paid $349.99 for this and it’s worth every cent.
I didn't know I needed a seven(7) inch screen until I began reading with it. The number of words per line is very comfortable and I believe I read a little faster and definitely with less agitation. By that I mean I can enjoy reading for longer periods of time at a stretch. I do a lot of my Oasis reading in bed before dozing off. I feel that I am a very fortunate person to have the Oasis reader because it's the Cadillac of all ereaders. There's none better at this time. Thank goodness the navigating of menus is pretty intuitive. It goes without saying the selection of books is outstanding. I know the price point makes many people hesitate to pull the trigger. All that I can say is that I have not had a moment's feeling of buyer's remorse.
I'm officially in love! Got my Kindle about a week ago and I love it! It fits great in my palm; I love the rotation ability since I am always switching hands makes it comfortable In both hands. I love the large screen and the fact that its waterproof since I'm a bath reader and live by the beach. I have owned the Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite and the Nook color, and Nook classic. By far this is my favorite e-reader. I bought a decal for it by decalgirl, and it fits just right with my kindle leather case. I haven't tried the audible yet but I will soon! I would highly recommend!
Feature Product
- Now available in Graphite or Champagne Gold.
- Our largest, highest resolution display- 7" and 300 ppi, reads like real paper without glare, even in bright sunlight.
- The first waterproof (IPX8) Kindle so you are free to read in even more places.
- Now with Audible, listen to the world's largest library of audiobooks. Pair with Bluetooth to take the story with you anytime, anywhere.
- Thin and light ergonomic design with dedicated page turn buttons and adaptive front light so you can read even more comfortably for hours.
- Keep reading-a single charge lasts weeks, not hours.
- Enjoy twice the storage with 8 GB. Or choose 32 GB to hold more magazines, comics, newspapers, and audiobooks.
- Instant access to new releases and bestsellers, or over a million titles at $2.99 or less. Prime members read free with unlimited access to over a thousand titles.
Description
The All-New Kindle Oasis features our largest 7-inch 300 ppi display with a thin and light ergonomic design that lets you read more comfortably for hours. It is the first waterproof Kindle enabling you to read in even more places. Kindle Oasis now has built-in Audible so you'll never have to put down your story, enabling you to listen to the world's largest library of audiobooks. Pair with Bluetooth to move seamlessly from reading to listening. With an adaptive front light, the all-new Kindle Oasis automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on your environment for perfect reading in any setting.
Our largest, highest resolution display
New—Featuring our largest 7-inch 300 ppi display, Kindle Oasis fits over 30% more words per page for fewer page turns. Crisp, laser quality text reads like real paper without glare, even in bright sunlight.
Read where you choose
New—No more soggy pages with the all-new Kindle Oasis. With a waterproof IPX8 rating, now you can read and relax in even more places.
Enjoy more books
New—Now you can listen to the world's largest library of audiobooks on your Kindle—anytime, anywhere, while traveling, cooking, or when you just want to rest your eyes. Pair with Bluetooth to move seamlessly from reading to listening. Available via a free over-the-air update.
Experience word-renowned performance
Listen to A-list celebrities narrate your favorite titles, enjoy full-cast ensemble performances, discover Grammy award-winning audiobooks, and more.
Larger storage capacity
New—Kindle Oasis is now available in 8 GB or 32 GB. Carry even more titles with you.
Perfect lighting anywhere
Now with an adaptive front light, Kindle Oasis automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on your surroundings—whether you're in a dimly-lit room or outside in the sun—and can be fine-tuned even further based on personal preferences.
Ideal for one-handed reading
The ergonomic design shifts the center of gravity to your palm, to rest in your hand like the spine of a book. Easily turn the page with either the touch display or dedicated page turn buttons. Whether you choose to read with your left or right hand, the page orientation automatically rotates to match.
Personalized settings for improved eye comfort
Customize your ideal reading experience by exploring more font sizes than ever before, adjusting boldness levels, switching to left-aligned text, and enjoying a larger menu option for easier readability. Available via a free over-the-air update.
I've had Amazon Kindles for years and years. I still have my old Kindle Touch 3G. In fact, I actually bought the last generation Oasis just about a year and half ago, and it was a fine fine product. It was a pleasure to hold and small enough to bring everywhere. Initially I wasn't going to move to the Oasis 2017 / 2nd Gen but just couldn't resist the bigger screen and waterproofing, plus I could trade-in my old Oasis for some discount off as well. I've no regrets upgrading from the 6 inch to the 7 inch Oasis.
Performance: Fantastic, it is clearly faster than my previous gen Oasis. EVERYTHING runs quicker: the Kindle store, opening books, turning pages, highlighting pages, etc. It even flips pages quicker too. It certainly feels like an upgrade performance-wise. I absolutely love the automatic backlight adjustment which dynamically changes brightness depending on my environment.
Size: The extra screen size made a big difference to my reading. I read more on a page and therefore turn less pages. It makes reading even more pleasurable than the already amazing Oasis Gen 1. There is a caveat though: The larger size meant I can't easily put it in my larger pockets, so I have to carry it, plus it definitely feels a little heavier with the cover.
Cases / Covers: It's a pity Amazon made a mistake with their original cover design for this. That said, that left the door open for excellent 3rd party covers like the Fintie Origami Case for Kindle Oasis (9th Gen, 2017 Release ONLY) - Slim Fit Stand Cover Support [Hands Free] Reading with Auto Wake / Sleep for Amazon All-New 7" Kindle Oasis, Denim Charcoal and the MoKo Case for All-New Kindle Oasis (9th Generation, 2017 Release) - Premium Ultra Lightweight Shell Cover with Auto Wake / Sleep for Amazon Kindle Oasis E-reader Case, Vintage Style, both of which I bought. It's important to note that the Fintie makes the Oasis quite a bit heavier as the case is weightier, however, I bought this so that I can free-stand my Oasis when required. The Moko feels a lot lighter but it's not origami, so I bought it more for "on the go / in-my-hand" reading, and frankly it's the best looking design cover for an e-book I've seen.
Battery Life: Ok, I admit I was terribly worried about the battery life seeing many reviewers complaining about the battery life. In reality, I don't exactly read 8 hours a day, so for what I read (usually up to an hour a day), the battery lasts fine by me even if it only lasted a week or two. The good thing is it doesn't take that long to fully charge the Oasis and it can be charged on any standard micro USB cable / charger so it's not a major concern. Because you no longer require the cover for the "other" battery like the previous Oasis, you can walk around with just the bare-naked kindle and it feels really good (see next section).
Look and Feel: It actually feels best in the hand without any covers because it's light and big enough to hold in 1 hand. Because of the larger size, it feels a little more like you're holding a book, and it feels good in my hands. I'm a big fan of the very original Oasis "one-sided bump" design as it feels so natural in the hands. And I simply swap hands if I'm tired and the screen automatically flips over for non-interrupted reading.
Waterproofing: I haven't tried dunking it in water yet, but to be honest, I've no reason to do so... yet!
Yes, granted, the price of the Oasis is high - but then again, isn't the iPhone X priced highly (overpriced, I might add)? The Oasis was made to be a premium product and indeed, it is a premium product. If you read lots and buy lots of books from Amazon, then this is a no-brainer of a purchase. The waterproofing simply means that you now can REALLY bring your Kindle everywhere and the Oasis finally means something. Highly recommended.
I have most of the Kindle models -- the Voyage, the Paper White, Keyboard (older and newer), Kindle Fire. The bigger screen on the Oasis makes reading so much easier and more like a print book, with fewer interruptions to turn the page. Being able to listen to Audible audiobooks is a great feature and works weil with both my Bluetooth headphones and speakers, including my car's multimedia. The bump on the back makes it easy and comfortable to hold. I have a case. so I'm feeling that instead of the aluminum and the corners are all smoothed out (although the case gets in the way of holding the bump. I have downloaded 333 books, including 2 audiobooks and still have 26.04 gb free of 27.29 gb for storage. I bought the 32gb storage and the free cellular. It also feels good to be able to flip the page with buttons -- and it's possible to switch the button settings so that page forward in on the bottom instead of the default top. On the con side, the battery does seem to run down faster than I would expect. It's a 67% now and I charged it just a couple of days ago. At least the charging seems faster and it has enough battery to last an airplane trip. And I have been leaving the wireless and Bluetooth on.
I traded in a Kindle Paperwhite. This is a pretty good replacement. Two disappointments so far.
1. The top of the line and it doesn' support WIFI 5GHz and AC. Only 2.4GHz and BGN.
2. MY previous Kindles, there have been a couple, presented the collections first, followed by books not in any collection. That's, of course, what happens when you download a new book. The Oasis doesn't seem to do that, or at least I can't figure out how to change the display to do that.
I do like the size and the buttons for changing pages. That's nice.
There are many things I really have come to appreciate about the Kindle Oasis reader. One-handed reading is incredibly comfortable. Without any cover, the Kindle Oasis is very light and comfortable in one hand, easy to switch hands, and well-lit. The text is always sharp and clear, the touch screen, the buttons and the rotation sensors are quick and flawless. Audible with Bluetooth works well. The battery life is ok, and it is sufficient for me - it certainly lasts days, and the Oasis charges very quickly. [I do have the Kindle Oasis with Cellular Connectivity, you can extend battery life by turning off Cellular, bluetooth and Wi-Fi.] I love that it's waterproof, and I no longer need to worry if I'm reading at the pool or beach - or if I'm caught in the rain.
I'm really enjoying reading my books - the biggest drawback for this reader is the fact that most newspapers or magazines are not available on Oasis, but in the end, I am coming to the conclusion that this makes it even more of an "Oasis!"
I've been through many iterations of Kindle and have been wanting a Kindle Oasis because it's supposed to be so much better than the other models. One of the problems I had with my old Kindle Voyage was that I had to charge the battery every day, so I was disappointed when I received the Oasis and have to charge the battery every day.
I thought I had a defective unit and called support. The technician told me they did a remote check on my device, and it was working perfectly. So I have reconciled myself to having to put the device on the charger every night and sometimes more often. I didn't expect to be able to go six weeks without a charge as the ad claims because I read far more than a half hour daily (more like five or six hours) and have the light setting around 20 instead of 10. But even if my usage is a dozen times more than what the specs are based on, I shouldn't have to charge it more than a couple of times per week. And yes, I turn off wi-fi and go to airplane mode except when I'm downloading or moving books, and I still have to charge at least daily.
The other annoyance is that I prefer my reading progress to show the reading time left in the book. However, it will randomly change from that (almost always when I change the orientation of the device and at other times I can't identify) to none or loc # or something else I don't want.
However, while the two above items are disappointing and occasionally frustrating, I still love reading on the Oasis. My eyesight is very poor, but with a large font setting and bright light, I can read easily. I like being able to change the orientation of the device so the page turn buttons are where it's most comfortable, especially after I've been reading a while and want to change positions. I like all the other features that I've enjoyed in the various Kindles I've used through the years.
I was an early adopter of ebooks, starting with the original Rocket eBook in 1999, the first electronic reading device, and going through a long line of devices before the Kindle was introduced. I've had most of the Kindles, and this is the best. I just wish it would hold a charge longer.
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